Honestly, I don’t know too much about The Dead Rabbits except that they are from Texas and they seem to have been around since about 2009. I’m guessing they are named after the infamous New York Irish gang rather than a deceased bunny.
The vinyl version of 7 Ol’ Jerks which I’m reviewing is a mini album i.e while it plays at 45 RPMs they manage to squeeze in an impressive nine songs.
Side A opens with the pure hardcore of “A Mic, A Band, A Pint, A Fan”. The Pogues’ “If I Should Fall From Grace With God follows” in a hooligan plays bluegrass style. “L. Elaine” the first original is great aggressive Celtic-punk with strained vocals from the appropriately named Seamus Strain. “Fr. McGregor” is Dropkick Murphys meets classic Blood or Whiskey in a brawl in the confessional box. Side A closer “Danny Boy Medley” is more fast Celtic-punk that swings from “Danny Boy” to “My Bonnie” to “The Gambler” to “You’re Not The Boss of Me”.
There are 4 tracks on the flip side opening with the aggressive yet catchy Celtic-punk meets Americana “Train Song” which rolls into a bruising “Leaving of Liverpool”. “7 Ol’Jerks” is very Dropkick Murphys-ish. The side closes with a powerful cover of The Cranberries “Dreams”.
I’m very impressed with the whole thing. Here is a band that is as aggressive as hell but never loses that sense of melody while they make a huge racket. Now I need to track down their back catalog.
Shite'n'Onions 